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Dan Orlovsky criticizes NCAA over Matthew Sluka decision: ‘Hopefully this is a wake-up call’

Dan Orlovsky criticizes NCAA over Matthew Sluka decision: ‘Hopefully this is a wake-up call’

Vaseline 1 month ago

UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka made the surprising decision to leave the team despite the undefeated record, thanks to a NO dispute. It was a moment that caused some discomfort for many.

One of those concerned is ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, who criticized the NCAA during an appearance on Stand upand explained that it was supposed to be a wake-up call.

“Good for the kid and NCAA, wake up,” Dan Orlovsky said. “This is hopefully a wake-up call. There’s a verse in the Bible. It’s Timothy 6:10 that says, ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil.’ This is what happens when you as the NCAA just give it free rein.”

The dispute between Sluka and UNLV boils down to Sluka and his family saying they were verbally promised $100,000 in a NIL package to be wired there, which was not delivered. The school, in turn, disputes that claim.

“In this context, and I agree 100 percent with the young man and his decision, he played football at Holy Cross. He plays football because he loves football. He transfers and now, fundamentally, he quits his team because of money,” Orlovsky said. “That’s where college football is right now. NCAA, are you happy with what you’ve built? Are you happy with what you’ve overseen? There’s a young man who’s a quarterback and played at Holy Cross who quits his team because they’re 3-0 because of money. That’s ridiculous.”

Orlovsky was not alone on the panel for Stand up who felt this way about the situation. Another former NFL player, Jason McCourty, shared that he feels this amounts to misrepresentation. He also added that he feels it is wrong to even say that Sluka has retired from UNLV.

“We’re asking 20-year-old, 21-year-old young men to make decisions that older people don’t make. Those who are trying to say you’re responsible for this kid’s future to make sure it goes as planned. For this situation, Matthew, you’re looking at a situation where, as far as we’re concerned, it’s not about the legal issues. They said come here and play and they’re going to pay you this amount of money. If that doesn’t happen, we’re going to see the same thing in the NFL. During training camp because they’re not getting the compensation that they think they deserve,” McCourty said.

“This is much worse because not only did you earn it, they told you they were going to give it to you and then decided not to. So I can’t even say he left his team. The university, they left him by not following through with the things they promised him.”

Matthew Sluka will be out for the rest of the season and will consider a move again, hoping to find a more stable starting spot this time around.